Barnard College has built a reputation for cultivating bold thinkers, creative risk-takers, and fiercely feminist leaders who rarely follow conventional paths. With its intimate liberal arts setting and direct access to the intellectual vibrancy of New York City, Barnard has long been a melting pot for the country’s top creative, entrepreneurial, and academic talent (who first must be put through the wringer of a highly selective admissions process!). Its alumni leave campus with bright futures ahead and fond memories in the rearview. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable Barnard graduates and how their time on campus helped shape their trajectories.

Well Known Barnard Alumni

1. Greta Gerwig

Before she became one of Hollywood’s most distinctive writer-directors, Greta Gerwig was an English and philosophy major at Barnard who dormed with actress, comedian, and longtime creative collaborator Kate McKinnon. While on campus, Gerwig immersed herself in literature and performance, participating in theater and developing the creative style that would inform films like Lady Bird and Little Women. Barnard’s emphasis on narrative analysis and feminist inquiry is clear to anyone snuggling in for a night of viewing Gerwig’s work, where female interiority and the difficulties of coming of age take center stage.

2. Zora Neale Hurston

A major figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Zora Neale Hurston attended Barnard in the 1920s as its first Black student. Studying anthropology under Franz Boas, she forged an innovative ethnographic practice apparent in her literary masterpieces, such as Their Eyes Were Watching God. Her time at Barnard placed her right on the edge of nearby Harlem, shaping her lifelong commitment to documenting Black life with nuance, authenticity, and a New York sense of humor.

3. Martha Stewart

Floral arrangements and Duck à L’orange, anyone? Long before becoming a household name that stands in for a well-curated meal or beautiful interior design, Martha Stewart studied history and architectural history at Barnard. Her time there cultivated an appreciation for design, aesthetics, and historical detail. Barnard’s proximity to New York’s art and cultural institutions gave her initial exposure to the visual sensibilities that became central to her brand. Her daughter, Alexis, carried on the torch of the Barnard tradition by studying English at her mother’s alma mater.

4. Cynthia Nixon

Best known for her role in Sex and the City, Cynthia Nixon graduated from Barnard with a degree in English. While balancing acting work with her studies, she remained deeply engaged in campus life and the local theater scene, performing on stage to pay her tuition. Her Barnard education helped foster the analytical thinking and advocacy skills that later fueled her political activism and run for governor of New York.

5. Jhumpa Lahiri

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri studied English literature at Barnard. Between close readings of feminist texts and developing a desire for a career as an academic, Lahiri took coursework covering migration, belonging, and identity. Barnard’s tight-knit academic environment allowed her to sharpen her voice with unusual focus and set her up for a lifetime of academic and literary achievement that continues to reverberate across the field of American arts and letters today.

6. Joan Rivers

The incomparable comedian Joan Rivers graduated from Barnard in 1954 with a degree in English literature. At Barnard, Rivers refines the observational humor that made her both beloved and controversial. While on campus, Rivers began exploring performance and storytelling in ways that went well beyond the classroom. Doing stand-up in front of live audiences and experiencing New York urban life fed directly into her comedic style, which often blended personal anecdote with biting cultural commentary.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance With Admission to Barnard College

We wouldn’t blame you for being inspired to apply to Barnard after reviewing this star-studded list of alumni. But don’t say we didn’t warn you: getting into Barnard College is no walk in the park. Let Ivy Coach assist you as you embark upon this journey.

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